Garden plans get $1,500 donation

By By Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
A fundraising buffet dinner hosted by Edo Japanese restaurant in Madison netted nearly $1,500 that will go toward the construction of a proposed Japanese garden at Dublin Park.
Owners of Edo's presented Madison Mayor Jan Wells with a check from the funds raised at the dinner.
Plans have already been presented to the Madison City Council to convert an overgrown swell filled with debris into a beautiful, authentic Japanese garden with water features on vacant property at the park.
Drew Crow with Crow &Associates Architects said the garden would not have any impact on existing trees in the park and would be built just north of Kids Kingdom.
"The garden will be built on a portion of property that does not have any projected uses," Crow said. "It will be similar in nature to the Japanese garden I did at Edo's."
Funding for the project would come from outside sources – similar to Kids Kingdom. Crow said rough projected costs are running at $405,000, but would vary depending on the type of materials used.
Councilman Larry Vannoy said the project would facilitate the closing of the access road off Ashley Drive by adding an additional access road to the lot. Crow said access to the parking lot would tie into the existing lot with a new access road.
"Japanese gardens are very neat and orderly and they don't contain a lot of lush plants, bushes, trees, etc. like we see here in the United States," Crow said. "My plan is to design and build the garden in the same nature that gardens are done in Japan."
Crow said some of the features at the garden would include an authentic Japanese bridge, teahouse, pavilion, and private space for functions, sidewalks, pagoda's and a wide variety of Japanese materials and plants.
"We've got a natural water area on the site that can be used for a nice water feature," Crow said.
Crow said the climate here in Alabama is very similar to that in Japan and its upkeep will not be difficult."
"This will be a place where individuals and families can come and relax, enjoy a beautiful, peaceful garden," Crow said. "It will be a true asset to Dublin Park."